KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN

Located in a residential area of central Tokyo, the project is a four-story concrete residence with three floors and a basement, designed for a couple and their child and two dogs.

Although the building is separated from neighboring units, it faces an intersection, which led to the decision of providing balconies in the living room and main bedroom with plantation. The natural light from the ceiling was effectively planned to provide sufficient light. This was done through the louvered facade on the exterior, in combination with the balcony railings. A spacious living room and dining room are located on the second floor, bedrooms on the first and third floors, along with an additional room for enjoying music and a storage room in the basement. The rooftop is much like a garden in an urban residence, planted with trees and has a space for BBQ.

The client has a great knowledge of art and furniture, so we considered the placement of the art and its affinity with the furniture in the planning process. Despite being certain that the backdrop for modern art is not limited to a white wall, they were planned with great care. Not only in the proportions and placement, but also in the detailing of the surrounding area as art holds a strong relationship with the walls and overall space.

Concrete is exposed throughout the interior, as sections of the exterior walls are composed with insulation. In working together with the construction company, a variety of concrete finishes were used - ribbed ceilings, washed walls, and more. All of these finishes were considered to ensure its harmony with the accommodating furniture and art.

Italian architect Gio Ponti once wrote in the Domus magazine that when building a house, one should not think about trends. During my long involvement in designing and watching over the progress of building a house, I have often found these words to be very convincing. And it is true that I had often thought of these words for this house as well, where we sincerely hope that it will be used well for a long time.